Chris came to visit this weekend. It was great to see him and hear how life in Yantai differs from life in Shanghai. Saturday night we went to dinner with friends in Pudong then walked along the Pudong side of the Bund. The weather was beautiful and the lights on the buildings sparkling and spinning. A man was singing and playing the guitar making our own soundtrack as we walked up and down talking about life and the changes that occur so quickly here.
Walking back to my apartment after a great evening I looked up and realized that I could see stars. I think it is the first time I have noticed them here. The big dipper was twinkling down among the lights of Shanghai. Even in Shanghai the stars are the same.
Next time you look at the stars think of me on the other side of the world and smile.
G
Monday, May 25, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Seeing red
It started with a pretty small comment a week or two before my mom came– “I think your eye looks swollen.”
Then at the beginning of April it progressed to – “Are you ok? Your eye is kind of red.”
I knew it was a major issue when the head of the Shanghai office walked up to me after mom left and out of the blue said, “你的眼睛怎么了？” (What's up with your eye?)
Thus began my third adventure with the Shanghai healthcare system.
As you know, my previous two experiences were not really planned – the knee happened at that party and the wrist as I tumbled to the ground after my client meeting. I used local hospitals and for the most part was satisfied with service and price. However, with my eye – I was a bit more skeptical and I had time to think about the process, procedure and potential problems. So, like many expats before me I made an appointment at Shanghai United Family Hospital.
My initial appointment was the Friday after my mom left. My Chinese teacher agreed to come with me and the two of us investigated the very western looking facility. I had made an appointment, got checked by a nurse, saw the doctor for a consultation; we determined I should come back next week for surgery and prepared to leave. I was starting to feel like Jasmine had come along for nothing until I tried to pay.
At the window they informed me that since I had direct billing, I did not need to pay anything. I accepted this and signed. Then I realized that I didn't have a receipt, a diagnosis form or any idea how much the cost was. Since I do have a deductible, I figured I should at least be aware of the cost. But when I asked for at least a receipt, no luck, they just kept repeating – “You have direct billing.” Jasmine and I pow-wowed in the lobby and finally she went back and said, “My friend needs a bill to show her company.” I got the receipt.
The following Friday (already feeling a bit under the weather due to a slight relapse from the flu I had in Sanya), I went back for my surgery appointment. Another friend went with me this time. We waited for a while and then I went in for the surgery. The procedure was very similar to one that I had in Chicago a couple of years ago, but took much longer due to the size of the bump. I exited wearing an eye patch, grasping some antibiotics but this time asked for the receipt for my company at the beginning instead of the end.
Almost three weeks later I am feeling much better. My eye is just about back to normal, I can wear my contact lenses again and I have now experienced another medical facility in Shanghai. Three times is enough. Let's hope this accident prone streak ends here.
Question – In my family we normally say things happen in threes – could be good things, bad things, funny things. This is my third experience. Have you had any threes happen to you lately?
Then at the beginning of April it progressed to – “Are you ok? Your eye is kind of red.”
I knew it was a major issue when the head of the Shanghai office walked up to me after mom left and out of the blue said, “你的眼睛怎么了？” (What's up with your eye?)
Thus began my third adventure with the Shanghai healthcare system.
As you know, my previous two experiences were not really planned – the knee happened at that party and the wrist as I tumbled to the ground after my client meeting. I used local hospitals and for the most part was satisfied with service and price. However, with my eye – I was a bit more skeptical and I had time to think about the process, procedure and potential problems. So, like many expats before me I made an appointment at Shanghai United Family Hospital.
My initial appointment was the Friday after my mom left. My Chinese teacher agreed to come with me and the two of us investigated the very western looking facility. I had made an appointment, got checked by a nurse, saw the doctor for a consultation; we determined I should come back next week for surgery and prepared to leave. I was starting to feel like Jasmine had come along for nothing until I tried to pay.
At the window they informed me that since I had direct billing, I did not need to pay anything. I accepted this and signed. Then I realized that I didn't have a receipt, a diagnosis form or any idea how much the cost was. Since I do have a deductible, I figured I should at least be aware of the cost. But when I asked for at least a receipt, no luck, they just kept repeating – “You have direct billing.” Jasmine and I pow-wowed in the lobby and finally she went back and said, “My friend needs a bill to show her company.” I got the receipt.
The following Friday (already feeling a bit under the weather due to a slight relapse from the flu I had in Sanya), I went back for my surgery appointment. Another friend went with me this time. We waited for a while and then I went in for the surgery. The procedure was very similar to one that I had in Chicago a couple of years ago, but took much longer due to the size of the bump. I exited wearing an eye patch, grasping some antibiotics but this time asked for the receipt for my company at the beginning instead of the end.
Almost three weeks later I am feeling much better. My eye is just about back to normal, I can wear my contact lenses again and I have now experienced another medical facility in Shanghai. Three times is enough. Let's hope this accident prone streak ends here.
Question – In my family we normally say things happen in threes – could be good things, bad things, funny things. This is my third experience. Have you had any threes happen to you lately?
Also - thank you to my loyal fans. I have had several comments and emails asking why I have not been posting as much lately. Work has been keeping me busy and with the eye issue looking at a computer for a while was pretty challenging. I pledge to do better moving forward.
G
Saturday, May 9, 2009
15 seconds
Two weeks ago I went to the Shanghai motorshow with a friend. It was enormous - 11 huge areas full of cars, parts, models and people - over 500,000 attending the show over the course of the week. The highlight though was that I was interviewed by a local news station while we were there.
After 7 hours of looking at cars I made it home around 7pm to receive several text messages that I was on the 6:30 news! Luckily there was a repeat broadcast at 9:30 which we recorded in the below. If you're curious I'm saying that I am for electric cars and that I believe this year and next year we should all start using them.
The next day I was in the elevator and one of my colleagues said, "I saw you on TV in the subway!" It appears that this story was also played on the TVs in the subway during Monday morning rush hour.
I am famous - at least for a little while - maybe 15 seconds of my 15 minutes. No autographs, please.
Cheers!
G
After 7 hours of looking at cars I made it home around 7pm to receive several text messages that I was on the 6:30 news! Luckily there was a repeat broadcast at 9:30 which we recorded in the below. If you're curious I'm saying that I am for electric cars and that I believe this year and next year we should all start using them.
The next day I was in the elevator and one of my colleagues said, "I saw you on TV in the subway!" It appears that this story was also played on the TVs in the subway during Monday morning rush hour.
I am famous - at least for a little while - maybe 15 seconds of my 15 minutes. No autographs, please.
Cheers!
G
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